They live chained up or in a tiny cage. They don’t get the veterinary care they need. They die in the ring or are unceremoniously shot for losing. Some are used as “bait” for other dogs. Some have litter after litter. Some starve. Some go without water for days.

Odds are that dog fighting is happening in your state right now. We need your help to stop it. Give dog fighting victims three minutes of your time?

1. Ask your U.S. representative to support the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.

The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 23, would make it a federal offense to knowingly attend an organized animal fight and would impose additional penalties for bringing children to animal fights. Violators would face up to one year in prison for attending a fight, and up to three years in prison for bringing a minor to a fight.

You can help the bill along by contacting your rep. We’ve made it easy at the ASPCA Advocacy Center, and we promise it only takes a few minutes, tops.

2. Download our new anti-dog fighting toolkit for citizen advocates.

If you’re as horrified by dog fighting as we are, and you think you might want to commit more time to stopping dog fighting in the near future, download our new toolkit developed with the U.S. Department of Justice. It’s got everything you need to know to get more involved. (We admit, actually reading it will take more than three minutes, but you get the idea.)

3. Fight Pit Bull prejudice via social media.

Pit Bulls and dogs who look like Pit Bulls get a bad rap because of their reputation as fighting dogs. Fight it by becoming a tireless advocate for them on your social networks. Start by posting the profile of a cute, adoptable Pit Bull-type dog on Facebook (we suggest Pet of the Week Champion) or sharing a happy tail about a Pit.

You can even share the story of a rehabilitated ex-fighting dog, like Ninja.

Oh, and of course, a bonus fourth thing you can do: Share this post on your social networks.

Comments

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Comments

About a month ago we were walking our dog late at night and this pitt puppy came running up behind us out of nowhere. Tail wagging and acting like he just found his long lost buddy. Our dog didnt appreciate him at all at first. We walked for over an hour that night trying to find his home. Noone ever claimed him so we have kept him. We got him neutered and he is now being loved and cared for daily. He sleeps in bed with us and has made a wonderful addition to our home. He coward down to my husband at first but after a few days he holds his head high and wags his tail uncontrollably when he comes home from work. We named him Rusty!

I cringe everything I see Michael Vicks getting kind of good publicity. I believe the law to arrest/charge people that attend these fights is good start. Still many are held in secret. Anything that cause unnecessary pain to animals makes me furious.

Dog fighting is for cowards and people like oh I don't know a football player young and makes millions....small private parts I guess all the money and fame still can't make him feel like a man I guess because he isn't. Dog fighting is a horrible so called sport...it's not a sport it's just evil!!Make it a stiff prison sentence that will take care of it DUH!!!

I think the fighters should be put in a pit with a pro MMA fighter, you know, to get that MMA fighter pumped up and to make him meaner... what I wouldn't give to see that! Animal fighters are some of the lowest forms of scum that society can conjure up, it has been proven in countless studies that people who abuse animals are not above abusing women and children. We shouldn't be putting them in jail for a few years they should have their psyche evaluated to be sure that they are suitable to be released back onto society. I have a rescue pit bull who has obviously been chewed up by another dog, she has the scars on her face and legs to prove it, but despite that and being starved nearly to death she is a very plump, happy go lucky little girl.

We have two pit bulls and they are the most adorable dogs. they both sleep with us (husband and me)or with my daughter. Its a good feeling knowing that there is always someone waiting for you at the window every day when come home from work. They are like our babies. they're both Males and get along beautiful. no matter what some people said, As always, dogs are like kids, you have to train /treat them well and they'll become good and a budle of joy. STOP DOGS FIGHTING PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY are God's creations too.

Let's get barbaric - Lock the real animals, those sponsoring and fighting the dogs in cages, let the pit bulls fight their sponsors for a few months. Us the sponsors as bait! Then send them to local prison in a 3rd world country to serve their sentences!

I find it completely unbelievable that anyone would find dog fighting acceptable for any reason at any time. What has humanity come to when people who should be caring for these animals set them against each other for entertainment purposes. Anyone who finds dogs tearing each other apart entertaining or acceptable at any time, whether an organizer or a spectator, should be fined and imprisoned, and if ever released from prison, never ever allowed to own a pet again.

This is a disgrace , it takes years for these people to investigate and which means more animals die and the longer they go on the more people learn about it . If you find a suspected dog fighting please call any one of us - we will get our own people together and then call law enforcement after we're done . These investigations take too long and should be stopped immediately and prosecuted quickly so others get the word out fast that this will not be tolerated. Jail time for all involved no exceptions . Screw the Mike Vicks of the world . If they do these things to animals then they have no care for human life as well - this is a known fact. Take care of this now.

We have a rescued pit bull - he goes by the name Nancyboy now. Sweet and affectionate, all he wants is attention.

This describes most of the pit and pit mixes I've known. I am more of a Shepard owner myself, but have come to accept the same willingness to please, and an added degree of stubbornness that came with Nancyboy.

A louder voice for pit bulls and their attitude could be gained by greater exposure, I believe. Not just posting a sticker or picture (though these definitely help), but by getting pit bulls out there and active in community events.

Got an amatuer dog show going on nearby? Take or borrow a pit for the event! A community dog walk? Same here! How about signing up yours or a friends (or even borrow one from the local Humane Society) for agility dog or flyball? Pits are very athletic, and love to do a job! Or even how about starting a local club and attending events together? You don't even have to own a dog for this one!

There are so many ways to improve the image of pit bulls, why not try some?